Casserole is a term used to describe a variety of baked dish recipes that combine ingredients like meat, vegetables, pasta, rice or eggs into a pan and are baked together. Casseroles are popular across many parts of the United States, but the terminology and prevalence of casserole dishes varies by region.
What is a Casserole?
A casserole is a baked dish that combines ingredients like meat, pasta, rice, cheese, beans, vegetables etc. in a pan and bakes them together. They are simple one-dish meals that often incorporate leftovers or pantry staples. Casseroles usually have a binder that holds the ingredients together like eggs, cheese, white sauce or condensed soup. They arecooked uncovered in the oven until heated through and browned on top.
Casseroles gained popularity in the Midwest and South in the 1950s and 1960s as convenient cooking and postwar prosperity increased demand for simple one-dish meals. Their simple preparation and ability to feed families affordably made them popular home cooking staples. Today, casseroles remain popular for family dinners, potlucks and holidays across many parts of the country.
What Makes a Casserole?
While casseroles can have endless ingredient variations, there are a few key characteristics that define a true casserole:
- Contains a starch like pasta, rice or potatoes
- Includes protein from meats, beans, eggs or cheese
- Uses a binder like eggs, cheese or cream sauce
- Has vegetables and/or herbs for flavor
- Baked uncovered in a baking dish until set
- Served from the baking dish in square portions
If a baked dish doesn’t have a starch, binder and vegetables, it would likely be considered a “bake” rather than a casserole. For example, dishes like lasagna, moussaka or shepherd’s pie have casserole-like ingredients but involve more complex assembly and would not be considered true casseroles.
Common Casserole Regions
While casseroles are well-known across most of the United States, they are especially prevalent in the Midwest and South. Some areas where casserole culture thrives include:
- Midwest – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri
- Great Plains – Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas
- South – Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama
- Southwest – Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico
- Rocky Mountain States – Idaho, Utah, Colorado
- Pacific Northwest – Washington, Oregon
In these regions, casseroles are a true comfort food and potluck staple. Church suppers, family gatherings and community events are likely to have multiple casserole dishes.
Less Common Casserole Regions
Some parts of the country are less likely to embrace casseroles as part of their culinary tradition. Areas where casseroles are less ingrained include:
- Northeast – New England, Mid-Atlantic states
- Mid-Atlantic – New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- California – Not as dominant due to variety of cultural influences
- Florida – More tropical, light dishes
- Louisiana – More Creole/Cajun flavor profiles
- Hawaii and Alaska – Unique island/native cuisine traditions
In these areas, casseroles may be served but are usually less of a fixture in home cooking and community potlucks. The cuisine reflects the unique histories and cultural blending of the regions.
Common Casserole Names by Region
Different regions have distinct names for casseroles, reflecting the dish’s history and prevalence in each area:
| Region | Common Casserole Names |
|---|---|
| Midwest | Hotdish, Casserole |
| South | Casserole |
| Great Plains | Casserole, Hotdish |
| Pacific Northwest | Casserole |
| New England | Baked, Casserole |
| Mid-Atlantic/Northeast | Baked, Casserole |
| California | Casserole, Bake |
The term “hotdish” is unique to parts of the Midwest and Great Plains. Other names like “baked” may reflect a broader category of oven-baked dishes rather than just casseroles.
States that Say Casserole
The following states commonly use the term “casserole” for baked dishes assembled and served from a single pan:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
These states are accustomed to seeing casseroles at potlucks, church functions, family gatherings and community meals. The term immediately conjures the idea of a baked one-dish meal.
Southern Casserole States
The American South has a strong casserole tradition. Southern casseroles often contain traditional ingredients like rice, corn, okra, beans, greens, sweet potatoes, pork and seafood. Here are some Southern states that embrace casserole culture:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Church cookbooks in these states will contain dozens of regional casserole recipes, from King Ranch Chicken to Hoppin John Casserole.
Midwestern and Plains Casserole States
Casseroles are a way of life in much of the Midwest and Great Plains. Towns are small and far between, so potlucks and community meals are central to social life. Casserole states in these regions include:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Church basement potlucks in Minnesota and Iowa will be filled with dozens of hotdish variations and other comforting casseroles.
Western Casserole States
While the coasts might prefer lighter fare, the Western states have embraced hearty casserole culture. Bean and beef casseroles are popular in the Southwest, while pioneer spirit lives on in potato-centric casseroles. Western casserole states include:
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Western potlucks feature chicken enchilada casserole, green bean casseroles and endless variations on potato casseroles.
States that Don’t Say Casserole
Some states are less inclined to use the term “casserole” and instead have local names or use broader terms like “baked dish.” Northeastern and West Coast states in particular tend to have more diverse culinary traditions less centered around Midwestern-style casseroles.
Northeastern States
Due to a more varied culinary heritage and greater access to seafood, the Northeast is less casserole-focused. These states prefer the term “baked dish”:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
A church cookbook from Massachusetts would be more likely to contain baked seafood recipes than Midwestern-style casseroles.
West Coast States
The West Coast states also have very diverse cultures less centered around casserole cuisine. These states may use broader terms like “baked dish”:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Oregon
- Washington
Coastal cuisine and Asian-influenced dishes are more common than classic American casseroles in these states.
Florida and Louisiana
Florida and Louisiana also have unique Southern cuisine less focused around casseroles:
- Florida – tropical, light cuisine
- Louisiana – Cajun and Creole influences
Seafood boils, po’ boys and gumbos are more iconic than casseroles in these Southern states.
Conclusion
Casseroles remain a comfort food staple across much of the Midwest, Great Plains, South and West where potlucks and community meals are central to social life. The terminology varies – “hotdish” in the Midwest, “casserole” in the South. But the concept of a baked one-dish meal remains beloved in these regions.
Coastal states and those with more varied culinary heritages are less likely to embrace classic casserole cuisine. Local food traditions and access to more seafood makes casseroles less central to Northeastern, West Coast and some Southern state’s food culture. So while casseroles are universally recognized, not all states are steeped in casserole tradition.